Breaking | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

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81%

Tomatometer

155 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

250+ Verified Ratings

When Marine Veteran Brian Brown-Easley is denied support from Veterans Affairs, financially desperate and running out of options, he takes a bank and several of its employees hostage, setting the stage for a tense confrontation with the police. Based on the true story.

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Breaking

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Critics Consensus

Breaking struggles to effectively convey its messages, but its noble intentions are well served by John Boyega's electrifying performance.

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Audience Says

Breaking is hard to watch, but that's because of how effectively it depicts the broken system behind its fact-based story.

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Critics Reviews

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Stephen Romei

The Australian

This movie is not Dog Day Afternoon but it is an honourable follower in its footsteps.

Apr 3, 2023

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Leslie Felperin

Financial Times

Abi Damaris Corbin gently hints at how common factors such as bureaucratic inefficiency, institutional racism and the US’s culture of violence all share responsibility for what unfolds.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 30, 2023

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Odie Henderson

Boston Globe

The performances by Beharie, Williams, and especially Boyega ultimately save the film.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 1, 2022

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Brittany Patrice Witherspoon

Pop Culture Reviews

It’s soft moments and great performances like these that are simply exceptional and elevated this derivative script to a great film.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 15, 2024

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Rick Bentley

KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA)

The always strong Connie Britton and Jeffrey Donovan round out a cast that is talented enough to make a bank robbery film that has been stripped down to its bare necessities as exciting as one with guns blazing.

Rated: B

Aug 9, 2023

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Zach Pope

Zach Pope Reviews

Breaking showcases the powerhouse performances from John Boyega, Nicole Beharie, & of course the late but FANTASTIC Michael Kenneth Williams

Jul 25, 2023

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Audience Reviews

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Giovanni This was a very deep and much needed movie Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/15/22 Full Review RP Based on a true story movie. Eye-opening depiction of how our veterans are treated!!!! Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/27/22 Full Review Arlene What makes Breaking compelling is the fact that it is based on a true story. The sad ending proves once again how inefficiently the government is run in many ways, from the VA to law enforcement. The acting is realistic and powerful all around. John Boyega deserves an Oscar nomination at the very least. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/19/22 Full Review Edward Thames Jr Pretty Good Movie!! I would recommend Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/18/22 Full Review Terrance A D This movie deals with so many pressing issues and traumas in our present society. Great acting portrayal by Boyega...I watched this movie and The Woman King back to back today....He is award worthy and needs more challenging roles to transform into. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/18/22 Full Review marie78 Breaking was a very difficult film because it dealt with PTSD, mental illness and our countries horrible treatment of veterans. John Boyega gave an excellent portrayal of this true, yet sad story. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/16/22 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Abi Damaris Corbin Director John Boyega Brian Brown-Easley Nicole Beharie Estel Valerie Selenis Leyva Rosa Diaz Michael Kenneth Williams Eli Bernard Connie Britton Lisa Larson

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